DHAKA, Feb 17, 2020 (BSS) – South Zone showed a never-say-die attitude to deny Walton Central Zone a victory in the last and final round of Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) and thereby sealed the final.
In pursuit of an improbable 507-run target to win, South Zone batsmen
showed a stubbornness to secure a draw as they ended the fourth and final day
on 386-9 at Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium in Cox’s Bazar,
ground-2 on Monday.
The draw helped them to occupy second spot in the point table with 19.89
points. They will take on Islami Bank East Zone in the final of BCL on
February 22 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. The final
game will be a five-day match.
After resuming the day on 159-4, very few sensed that South Zone could
escape with a draw but they did it with a gritty batting show.
Firstly Shamsur Rahman Shuvo came up with a huge resistance as he and
Nasum Ahmed shared a 139-run partnership to frustrate the Central Zone.
When Mehidy Hasan Miraz broke the partnership dismissing Shamsur for 133,
Central Zone made quick inroads. But Nasum remained unfazed. He played 246
balls for his 85 to eat up important times of Central. Arafat Sunny though
removed Nasum, it was Farhad Reza who with the ably support from No.11
batsman Shafiul Islam grinded it out for South Zone.
Farhad remained unbeaten on 27 after playing 91 balls while Shafiul played
26 balls for his 1 not out.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz took 4-136 while Shuvagata Hom picked up 3-59.
Walton Central Zone scored 235 before being all out in first innings while
South Zone declared their first innings for 114-4 in a strategic move to deny
central Zone important bowling bonus point. It seemed to be backfired when
Nazmul Hossain Shanto scored an unbeaten 253 to help Central Zone declare the
second innings on 386-9 and set an improbable 507-run target for South Zone
to win the game.
But South Zone at the end showed a gritty performance to secure a draw and
denied Central Zone sealing the final. Central Zone ended the tournament
finishing third with 11.points.